Tallaght shines in litter survey

THE final litter survey of 2018 by business group Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) shows Tallaght and Dun Laoghaire cleaning up.

Both Southside areas as well as the environs of Dublin Airport are all deemed clean, but the city centre has dropped to moderately littered with the North Inner City coming in at the bottom of the litter table, and described as ‘seriously littered’.

As he presented awards to the cleanest towns across the country at a ceremony last week, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton, said combating litter is part of a much wider challenge.

“Litter is a very tangible, visible example of the kind of damage that is being done,” he said. “It is vital that communities, businesses and local authorities in towns all across Ireland work together to manage waste properly and reduce litter.

“I hope the recognition that these awards provide spur others on to come together to make changes in their local areas.”

The report noted another excellent result for Tallaght, which was described as continuing to shine as a beacon for other urban areas across the country.

“Sean Walsh Park was a top-ranking site – hugely improved since earlier in 2018 when the pond was a very poor site with regard to litter,” the report reads. “Other top-ranking sites which deserve a special mention include both recycling facilities at Tallaght Square and at Sean Walsh Memorial Park. Tallaght Village and Tallaght Stadium were also very clean.”

Meanwhile, some of the top-ranking sites in Dun Laoghaire included George’s Street Upper, the Ferry Terminal/Dun Laoghaire Harbour and DLR Lexicon – the latter was exceptionally fresh and pristine.

“All approach roads were also top ranking. There was some improvement at Brock Lane, though litter was still present,” the report adds. “The car park at Eblana Avenue remains a poor site, not just due to conventional litter – a dead pigeon, broken glass, slates and bollards faced any users of this car park.”

A number of heavily littered sites prevented Dublin City Centre from retaining its clean status from earlier in 2018. While high profile areas such as Temple Bar, Grafton Street, O’Connell Street, the Guinness Storehouse and Dame Street all got the top grade, George’s Hill and an area off Meath Street and Liffey Street were moderately littered. 

 Just under 90 per cent of towns surveyed were deemed clean, a slight improvement on the previous year, with Athlone and Killarney finishing just behind Fermoy.

Disadvantaged urban areas occupied the bottom five places in the rankings.

“Three years ago, we deliberately shone a spotlight on specific city areas in the hope that the attention would spur councils and communities into action,” said Conor Horgan of IBAL. “It is fair to say we have seen no noticeable improvement in any of these areas – nor have we seen much by way of substantial measures to them turn around.” 

Speaking about the result, Cllr Charlie O’Connor (FF) said that Tallaght can now lead the way on eliminating the litter plight across the Southside.

“South Dublin County Council recently confirmed to me that following a review, a new statutory Litter Management Plan is expected to be in place by December,” Cllr O’Connor said.

 “The good work which has been carried out to date in order to manage these issues is best reflected in today’s announcement. A huge part of this achievement has depended on voluntary work in the community and local residents keeping an eye on graffiti in the area.”

He added: “Despite our area being recognised today as Dublin’s cleanest town, we’ve some way to go in order to fully eliminate the problems with litter and graffiti. I am assured by the Chief Executive that the measures undertaken in the past 12 months will continue and that scheduled and reactive clean-ups will take place.”